The world’s most sophisticated and modern yacht, Maltese Falcon, has set sail. It was built by Yıldız Gemi ve Makine Sanayi Ticaret AŞ in a shipyard in Tuzla, Turkey. It measures a whopping 88 meters (289 feet) in length!
Here’s the press release from Perini Navi, the Italian company which designed the vessel:
Perini Navi is thrilled and proud to announce that on Wednesday June 7th the 88m Clipper Yacht the Maltese Falcon successfully completed her first sail trial on the Bosphorus sea, with an off shore breeze that gradually increased from 8 to 16 knots.
“The Maltese Falcon has written a new page in the history of yachting, the DynaRig is no longer an experimental concept” is the Owner’s first comment to this stunning success. “Everything worked as engineered and the yacht achieved some remarkable numbers: hard on the wind in 15.8 knots true, at 38 degrees relative wind angle, we sailed with no fuss or strain at 10.5 knots. On a close reach at 60 degrees relative angle, the speed (still at knots 16 true wind) climbed to 14 knots. The balance is, essentially, perfect – with weather helm never exceeding 0.6 degrees on the wind, or 2.5 degrees on a fast reach. The angle of heel was around 15 degrees, but in a puff, once touched 20 degrees. The leeway angle was well under 5 degrees (without the dagger-board in place)”.
“Since it was our first day out, and we wanted to be careful, these results were achieved with the topgallants and the royals furled – so we expect even better numbers in further tests. The maximum loading on the masts never much exceeded 50% of our (very, very, conservative) limit, so, we have plenty of room for some even better results”. These are the words that the Owner – who acted as «Project Manager» during both project conception and construction of his vessel – chose to describe The Maltese Falcon first sail ride.
The engine trials were also a great success: the specification called for 18 knots, but she achieved nearly 20 (19.6) knots, with minimal wave making and virtually no vibration with a smooth and non-turbulent wake. At full power the two 1,800hp Deutz engines – which turn at only 1,800rpm – made almost no noise; so little that the sound from the air-conditioning in the aft cabins was louder than the sound from the engines.
The Maltese Falcon’s design and construction has been a collaboration between Perini Navi, Ken Freivokh, and Dijkstra & Partners. Her three carbon fibre masts, manufactured and assembled at the Yildiz Gemi yard in Tuzla under the supervision of the English company Insensys are free-standing and rotating, an absolute world-first for an application of this size and complexity. Based on the DynaRig square rig concept – developed with Gerry Dijkstra & Partners of Holland, each mast carries five separate square sails supplied by Doyle Sails.
The Maltese Falcon’s stunning interior was designed by Ken Freivokh and supplied by German based Sinnex. Her accommodations can be configured from four to six stateroom suites. The Maltese Falcon is expected to sail in the Mediterranean early this summer.
Too little has been written regarding Yildiz people that have done most of design, purchasing, production and project coordination works!
Michele,
I agree. I searched the net for more info on the work that was accomplished in Yildiz, but couldn’t come up with anything. Even their own website doesn’t have much information. It is as if they don’t want to talk about it. If you know of an information source, please do let me know.
Thanks
We witnessed this lovely vessel in all her glory off the coast of Monaco and St. Tropez in early August.
She is truly a show-stopper!
Everyone on board our ship (including the captain and crew) was drooling over her.
Beautiful.
Wonderful yacht - berthed next to my daughter in Antigua - she feels like she is in a dingy now - 77′SWAN - Freebooter!!!!
On Dec 21st 2006 We were moored along side the MALTESE FALCON. On the cruise ship Crown Princess in ST MAARTEN.Wow she caused a stir.
Nice article, good subject. Go on!
Thanks for site and work.
I was so taken by this new rig design that I’ve designed a new 62 foot DynaRig Motorsailer catamaran…on my website
www.RunningTideYachts.com
I saw “Maltese Falcon” on March 16th in Gustavia (St Barths). Wow! She is a beauty.I wish i could put my hands on her steering wheel…
Thats an Incredible yacht. I found some great video of a yacht and they let me use it on my blog and website.
Luxury Yachts with Amazing Technology
When I saw this yacht, I thought it to be probably the nicest I have ever seen, but then again anything built by Perini Navi is great.
Hello John,
I tried to reference that Maltese falcon video material you mentioned by 8 Jun posting, but was unable to get it??
There are some great photos here:
http://www.elmarine.com/maltese-falcon-yacht-charter.html
We have just published a visually stunning coffee table style book on the Maltese Falcon. It had words from the people behind this incredible masterpiece and is coupled with over 300 amazing images. You can order the book from our website www.superyachtart.com/mfb
We have just published a visually stunning coffee table style book on the Maltese Falcon. Have a look, www.superyachtart.com/mfb
We had a chat with the Captain of the MF last Christmas when she was in Antigua….just wondering whether she will be there again this year? Wish she were mine!!